Installation Guide

Ribbons, wrapping paper, and similar items like to unfurl and create a huge mess. You can create a ribbon rack
with dowels attached to a backing board and wrap leftover wrapping paper around dowels to create a tight
cylinder (use removable tape to hold the paper down) so your paper doesn't go wild when you're not using it.
6. Dowel joints:
Hey, you might as well use a dowel for what it was designed to do. These woodworking joints allow you to
create a hidden reinforcement with the use of a dowel as a peg inside the joint to support the wood. They'll add
strength and allow you to limit unsightly seams and hardware on the outside of the joint. This trick is used by
carpenters all over the world.
7. Added shelf support:
You can utilize stout dowels as the braces for a new shelf in a bookcase, and to create added support for a
heavy shelf (such as one laden with dictionaries). Cut your dowels to the right height and anchor them in the
structure of the bookcase so shelves don't sag in the middle.
8. Cheap curtain hangers:
Since people don't see the curtain rod, your spare dowels will do just fine. You can add fancy finials if you want -
- and those can be thrifted or salvaged to keep costs low. Choose a dowel of appropriate width for the fabric,
making sure it's thick enough to support the weight of materials like velvet or heavy canvas. (Speaking of
curtains, if you're concerned about window security, you can also use a dowel in the slider to create a lock.)
9. Tool rehabilitation:
Have a broom or tool with a handle that's going the way of the dodo? If the tool on the end is still in good shape,
detach the worn handle and replace it with a dowel of appropriate thickness. Much less expensive than buying a
new tool handle!
10. Roller:
Dowels, as we know, are round (that's sort of a key component of these doodads), and you can use that to your
advantage. Press down on contact paper and other materials you're trying to roll out flat and even with a dowel
-- you can also use one as a rolling pin in a pinch (go for a thick dowel and rub it with food-safe mineral oil
before you start).